About Us

Johnston Atoll National Wildlife Refuge, part of the Pacific Islands Heritage Marine National Monument, is comprised of four islands (Johnston, Sand, North and East Island), and is located 716 nautical miles southwest of Honolulu. The formation of the atoll began 70 million years ago through a series of underwater volcanic eruptions. Johnston Atoll National Wildlife Refuge includes the emergent and submerged lands and waters out to 12 nautical miles, for a total of 567,289 acres (689 terrestrial acres). The Johnston Atoll National Wildlife Refuge System Monument Unit includes the emergent and submerged lands and waters out to 200 nautical miles for a total of 109,331,115 acres.

Johnston and Sand Island were designated as federal bird refuges in 1926 and retained its status as a refuge after the U.S. Navy took control of it in 1934. By 1964 dredge and fill operations had increased the size of Johnston Island from 46 acres to 596 acres. Sand Island was increased from 10 acres to 22 acres, and the addition of 25 acres of North Island and 18 acres of East Island were added to the atoll. 

Johnston Island played an important role in the United States’ nuclear testing program, which began in the late 1940s. From the late 1950s to 1962, high-altitude nuclear testing was carried out at Johnston Atoll. Chemical munitions were also stockpiled on Johnston and subsequently incinerated in the Johnston Atoll Chemical Agent Disposal System, that was built in 1990 and disassembled in 2004 after the completion of its mission. By November 2003, the U.S. Air Force completed clean-up and demolition of the incinerator buildings. By May 2005, almost all of Johnston Island's infrastructure had been removed, and all personnel left the atoll, including refuge staff. 

On January 6, 2009, the Pacific Islands Heritage Marine National Monument was established, which included Johnston Atoll National Wildlife Refuge within its boundaries. By Department of the Interior Secretary order, the boundaries of the Monument were established from the shoreline out to 50 nautical miles. On September 25, 2014, the Monument was expanded around Johnston Atoll out to 200 nautical miles. The refuge’s lands also served as a U.S. Air Force installation. Although the installation is now closed, the U.S. Air Force retains primary jurisdiction over the land, while the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has secondary jurisdiction.

Our Mission

The mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System is to administer a national network of lands and waters for the conservation, management and, where appropriate, restoration of the fish, wildlife and plant resources and their habitats within the United States for the benefit of present and future generations of Americans.

Our History

• 1903 March 14 - President Theodore Roosevelt implements the first National Wildlife Refuge on Pelican Island, Florida.
• 1926 July 29 - By way of Executive Order 4467, President Calvin Coolidge establishes Johnston Atoll as a federal bird refuge and places it under the control of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
• 1934 December 29 - President Franklin D. Roosevelt places Johnston Atoll under the control and jurisdiction of the U.S. Navy (while maintaining it as a national wildlife refuge) until 1948 when the U.S. Air Force takes control.
• 2009 January 6 - The Pacific Islands Heritage Marine National Monument is established, which expanded the protected boundaries of Johnston Atoll out to 50 miles.
• 2010 - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service identifies a yellow crazy ant invasion on Johnston Island. The ants are found blinding and maiming ground nesting red-tailed tropicbirds, and efforts to eradicate the ants begin.
• 2014 September 25 - The Pacific Islands Heritage Marine National Monument is expanded.  The protection around Johnston Atoll now extends out to 200 nautical miles.
• 2021 - After almost 11 years of hard work by dedicated staff and volunteers, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announces eradication of the invasive yellow crazy ant from Johnston Island. 

What we Do

The National Wildlife Refuge System is a series of lands and waters owned and managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Wildlife conservation is at the heart of the refuge system. It drives everything we do from the purpose a refuge is established, to the recreational activities offered there, to the resource management tools we use. Selecting the right tools helps us ensure the survival of local plants and animals and helps fulfill the purpose of the refuge. 

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service with our partners at NOAA monitor Johnston Atoll for seabird activity and nesting, invasive species, and the overall health of the surrounding reef. 

Seasons of Wildlife

Johnston Atoll National Wildlife Refuge is home to numerous species of unique wildlife. The low coral island is vegetated by herbs and grasses tolerant of the arid climate. It is surrounded by beaches on all sides composed of sand or coral shingle. The wildlife found in and around the island is rich with diversity ranging from a variety of birds, marine mammals, various species of reptiles, invertebrates, marine life, and flora.  

Marine Life

At least 300 species of fish have been recorded within the reefs of Johnston Atoll. Approximately 93 species of algae and 54 species of coral have also been identified at Johnston. Green sea turtles also feed within the waters of the refuge. 

Birds

The atoll is home to fifteen species of seabirds including boobies, frigatebirds, terns, petrels, noddies, and shearwaters. Johnston Island is also home to host one of the largest red-tailed tropicbirds colonies in the world with over 12,000 pairs nesting there. Shorebirds such as the ruddy turnstone, bristle-thighed curlew, and pacific golden plover migrate through the refuge, and the pueo, or Hawaiian short-eared owl, is often found hunting smaller birds on the refuge